Government-backed PADU brings together Malaysian music talents ahead of upcoming album release

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — A new government-backed music project bringing together some of Malaysia’s best-known hip-hop and alternative artists was unveiled at an exclusive listening session in Kuala Lumpur last weekend.

PADU: The Album, led by DJ Pri2 and Poovilashini, was previewed to around 100 invited guests from the music, media and creative industries at Mantra Bar on June 14.

Supported by MyCreative Ventures under the Ministry of Communications, the bilingual Malay-and-English project features collaborations with artists including Kidd Santhe, K-Town Clan, Airliftz, Balan Kash, Syntax, Besanth, Adam Imanullah, Axtin and Shane Kennedy.

According to the organisers, the five-track album was conceived as an independent project aimed at showcasing collaboration, storytelling and cultural identity within Malaysia’s evolving music landscape.

The album takes its name from the Malay word “perpaduan”, meaning unity, while also referencing the colloquial term “padu”, commonly used to describe something impressive.

Guests at the preview were taken through each track by producer Pri2, who shared insights into the creative process behind the project, from the initial concept and production stages to the collaborations that shaped the final recordings.

The event also featured a panel discussion titled Made in Malaysia: The Evolution of Homegrown Music, bringing together musicians Balan Kash, Roshan Jamrock and Kidd Santhe to discuss the growth of Malaysia’s independent music scene and the challenges facing local artists.

Speaking during the event, Pri2 described the album as a passion project that began without the support of a record label or major studio.

“This started as an idea in a bedroom — no studio, no label, no guarantee. I’m not a big star; I’m just an artist in love with music,” he said.

PADU: The Album and its accompanying music videos are expected to be released on major streaming platforms in the coming weeks.